On March 8, Mumbai will host an unusual pageant: a beauty contest, but one where all the participants live with 100% visual disability. The preparations for Princess India 2016-17, as the contest is called, started six months ago, with selection rounds across India. In November, 44 women made it into the penultimate round in Mumbai, where, for two days, they went through talent, ramp walk and other rounds designed to show their achievements. From those rounds, 15 were selected for the final round on March 8, again in Mumbai. One of the finalists, Kritika Purohit, 24, is a physiotherapist from Nala Sopara in Palghar district of Maharashtra. Ms. Purohit says though she is a little nervous, she is very excited to be part of such a contest.

Read more at www.thehindu.com